Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0130
This CDC cooperative agreement funding opportunity, titled "Improving regional capacity to respond to HIV, TB, and other global health priorities in Central America" (NOFO number CDC RFA JG 26 0130), focuses on strengthening Central American health systems so countries can better prevent, detect, and treat HIV while also improving integrated responses to tuberculosis (TB), opportunistic infections, and other public health threats. The work is specifically aimed at supporting and continuing the transition of site-level program support to local governments in five countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. A central theme is shifting from externally driven implementation to country ownership, meaning ministries of health and local institutions increasingly lead planning, delivery, and monitoring while building durable capacity that remains after external support scales down.
The program is designed to accelerate progress toward the global HIV 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. To do that, applicants are expected to address persistent gaps across the full HIV service continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, and life-saving treatment. Proposed activities should emphasize practical approaches that expand access for populations most at risk for HIV, reduce delays between testing and treatment initiation, and improve the quality and continuity of care so that viral suppression becomes the norm rather than the exception.
On prevention, the opportunity highlights the importance of ensuring prevention services reach populations most affected by HIV, with a specific reference to the VICITS model (Sentinel Surveillance of STI and HIV Strategy). In practice, this points toward strategies that combine targeted prevention with surveillance and service delivery for key populations, using standardized approaches to understand local epidemics and tailor interventions accordingly. The NOFO also emphasizes HIV testing models that do not end at diagnosis, but instead lead to active linkage to treatment and prevention services, addressing one of the most common real-world weaknesses in HIV programs: people testing positive but not getting rapidly connected to care, or people testing negative not being effectively linked to prevention tools and follow-up.
A major portion of the proposed work is expected to strengthen early diagnosis through active case-finding, which goes beyond passive facility-based testing. The CDC is signaling interest in a mix of approaches, including outreach testing for populations most at risk, index testing (offering testing to partners and contacts of people diagnosed with HIV), provider-initiated testing in clinical settings, community-based testing, social network strategies that leverage peer referral patterns, and HIV self-testing. Taken together, these activities are meant to find infections earlier, reduce undiagnosed HIV, and shorten the time between infection, diagnosis, and treatment, which improves health outcomes and reduces onward transmission.
On treatment and care, the opportunity calls for supporting integration of comprehensive services, including HIV care alongside TB services and management of opportunistic infections. This reflects the reality that HIV outcomes are closely tied to how well programs detect and treat TB and other co-infections, and how effectively health systems coordinate services across clinics, laboratories, and community platforms. Applicants are expected to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver high-quality, country-led services, with an emphasis on continuous quality improvement (CQI). CQI typically involves routine performance measurement, identification of bottlenecks, rapid-cycle improvements, mentorship, supportive supervision, and standardized clinical and programmatic practices that can be scaled nationally.
Another core requirement is strengthening data systems and data use. The NOFO explicitly calls for adequate data systems to monitor progress toward 95-95-95 and other global health priorities, which implies improvements in surveillance, routine program monitoring, data quality assurance, interoperability between systems where feasible, and building local capacity to analyze and use data for decision-making. This is closely linked to accountability and sustainability: countries cannot own programs they cannot measure, manage, and continuously improve using timely and accurate information.
Beyond HIV and TB outcomes, the opportunity places the work within a broader health systems and global health security frame. The CDC is looking for support that improves efficiency, reinforces country ownership, and enhances regional readiness to fight priority infectious diseases and other public health threats. That may include strengthening foundational capacities such as laboratory networks, workforce development, service delivery platforms, and coordination mechanisms that are useful not only for HIV and TB but also for outbreak detection and response more broadly.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically CDC-GHC, using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which generally means CDC expects substantial involvement in program direction, technical support, and oversight. The anticipated total funding amount for the first year is approximately $20,000,000, subject to availability of funds, with an expectation of two awards. Notably, the listing states an "Award Ceiling for Year 1" of $0, which can indicate that a per-award ceiling is not being set in the posting even though a total estimated funding amount is provided, so applicants typically need to rely on the NOFO details and CDC guidance for budgeting expectations. The application window closes on 2026-08-31. Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of U.S. government entities, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other unrestricted applicants, reflecting CDCs interest in a wide pool of capable implementers.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a regional capacity-building and transition-focused initiative: it aims to help Central American governments and local partners take the lead in high-impact HIV prevention and case-finding, strengthen rapid linkage and sustained treatment, integrate HIV/TB and related services, institutionalize quality improvement, and build data systems that can track and drive progress toward 95-95-95 while also contributing to stronger, more resilient health systems and improved preparedness for broader infectious disease threats.Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0130
- The Centers for Disease Control-GHC in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving regional capacity to respond to HIV, TB, and other global health priorities in Central America" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.067.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the title and NOFO number of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Improving regional capacity to respond to HIV, TB, and other global health priorities in Central America." The NOFO number is CDC RFA JG 26 0130.
2) What kind of funding mechanism is this?
This is a CDC cooperative agreement. In a cooperative agreement, CDC typically has substantial involvement in program direction, technical input, and oversight during implementation.
3) Which CDC office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically CDC-GHC.
4) What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to strengthen Central American health systems so countries can better prevent, detect, and treat HIV, while improving integrated responses to tuberculosis (TB), opportunistic infections, and other public health threats.
5) Which countries are specifically included?
The work is aimed at supporting and continuing the transition of site-level program support to local governments in five countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
6) What does "country ownership" mean in this NOFO?
Country ownership refers to shifting from externally driven implementation to locally led programs. Ministries of health and local institutions increasingly lead planning, service delivery, monitoring, and capacity-building so the work remains durable as external support scales down.
7) How does this opportunity relate to the HIV 95-95-95 targets?
The program is designed to accelerate progress toward 95-95-95: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those diagnosed receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.
8) What parts of the HIV service continuum are emphasized?
The NOFO emphasizes addressing gaps across the full continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, and life-saving treatment. It also highlights rapid linkage to services and improving quality and continuity of care so viral suppression becomes routine.
9) What prevention approaches are highlighted?
The opportunity highlights ensuring prevention services reach populations most affected by HIV, with a specific reference to the VICITS model (Sentinel Surveillance of STI and HIV Strategy). This points toward targeted prevention linked with surveillance and service delivery using standardized approaches to understand local epidemics and tailor interventions.
10) What is VICITS in the context of this NOFO?
VICITS is referenced as a model for combining targeted prevention with sentinel surveillance and service delivery for key populations. The goal is to use standardized methods to better understand local HIV/STI epidemics and improve the targeting of interventions.
11) What does the NOFO say about HIV testing and linkage to services?
The NOFO emphasizes testing models that do not end at diagnosis. It highlights the need for active linkage to treatment for people who test positive and effective linkage to prevention tools and follow-up for people who test negative.
12) What is meant by "active case-finding" for early HIV diagnosis?
Active case-finding goes beyond passive facility-based testing. It focuses on proactively identifying people with HIV earlier, reducing undiagnosed infection, and shortening the time between infection, diagnosis, and treatment initiation.
13) Which HIV testing and case-finding approaches are specifically mentioned?
The NOFO signals interest in a mix of approaches, including outreach testing for populations most at risk, index testing (partners and contacts of people diagnosed with HIV), provider-initiated testing in clinical settings, community-based testing, social network strategies using peer referrals, and HIV self-testing.
14) Why is rapid linkage to treatment important in this program?
Rapid linkage is emphasized because a common program weakness is people testing positive but not getting quickly connected to care. Reducing delays between testing and treatment initiation supports better health outcomes and reduces onward transmission.
15) What treatment and care priorities are included?
The NOFO calls for supporting integrated, comprehensive services, including HIV care alongside TB services and management of opportunistic infections, reflecting how co-infections affect HIV outcomes and require coordinated service delivery.
16) How does the NOFO address HIV and TB integration?
It expects support for integration of HIV care with TB services and opportunistic infection management, and strengthening coordination across clinics, laboratories, and community platforms so patients experience more continuous, effective care.
17) What is the expectation for healthcare workforce support?
Applicants are expected to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver high-quality, country-led services, with an emphasis on continuous quality improvement (CQI).
18) What is "continuous quality improvement (CQI)" as described here?
CQI is described as routine performance measurement, identifying bottlenecks, rapid-cycle improvements, mentorship, supportive supervision, and standardized clinical and program practices that can be scaled nationally.
19) What data system improvements are expected?
The NOFO explicitly calls for adequate data systems to monitor progress toward 95-95-95 and other priorities. This implies improvements in surveillance, routine monitoring, data quality assurance, interoperability where feasible, and building local capacity to analyze and use data for decisions.
20) Why are data systems tied to sustainability and country ownership?
The NOFO frames data use as essential to accountability and sustainability because countries cannot fully own programs they cannot measure, manage, and continuously improve using timely, accurate information.
21) Does the NOFO focus only on HIV and TB?
No. While HIV and TB are central, the opportunity also refers to opportunistic infections and other public health threats, and positions the work within a broader health systems and global health security frame.
22) What broader health systems or preparedness outcomes are connected to this work?
The NOFO indicates the work should improve efficiency, reinforce country ownership, and enhance regional readiness to fight priority infectious diseases and other threats. It mentions strengthening foundational capacities such as laboratory networks, workforce development, service delivery platforms, and coordination mechanisms useful for outbreak detection and response.
23) What is the anticipated funding amount for the first year?
The anticipated total funding amount for Year 1 is approximately $20,000,000, subject to availability of funds.
24) How many awards does CDC expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of two awards.
25) Why does the listing show an "Award Ceiling for Year 1" of $0?
The listing notes an "Award Ceiling for Year 1" of $0, which can indicate that a per-award ceiling is not being set in the posting even though an estimated total funding amount is provided. Applicants would typically rely on the NOFO details and CDC guidance for budgeting expectations.
26) When is the application deadline?
The application window closes on 2026-08-31.
27) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of U.S. government entities, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other unrestricted applicants.
28) Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The information provided describes it as a discretionary opportunity funded by CDC.
29) What is the transition focus mentioned in the NOFO?
A central theme is continuing the transition of site-level program support to local governments, moving implementation leadership to ministries of health and local institutions and building lasting capacity as external support scales down.
30) What are examples of program weaknesses this NOFO is trying to fix?
The NOFO points to real-world weaknesses such as gaps in prevention coverage for populations most affected by HIV, delays between testing and treatment initiation, and testing programs that diagnose people but do not reliably link them to treatment or prevention and follow-up.
31) What does the NOFO suggest about targeting populations most at risk for HIV?
It emphasizes practical approaches that expand access for populations most at risk, paired with strategies (including VICITS) that help programs understand local epidemics and tailor interventions to where they will have the greatest impact.
32) What is the overall way to think about this opportunity?
It is a regional capacity-building and transition-focused initiative aimed at helping Central American governments and local partners lead high-impact HIV prevention and case-finding, strengthen rapid linkage and sustained treatment, integrate HIV/TB and related services, institutionalize quality improvement, and build data systems that drive progress toward 95-95-95 while also improving preparedness for broader infectious disease threats.
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